NCAAM: No. 6 Syracuse takes 3-2 win in double OT over St. John’s
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Via Syracuse University) – Sophomore Jonathan Hagman picked an opportune time for his first career goal. He found the back of the net in the 105th minute for the game-winning goal in the second overtime period to give the No. 6/8 Syracuse men’s soccer team a 3-2 come-from-behind victory against St. John’s. The win keeps the Orange perfect this season with a 4-0 record.
The game-winning play started with a throw in by sophomore Miles Robinson. Freshman Johannes Pieles headed the ball to Hagman, who put his shot past Michael Bernardi to give Syracuse the victory.
“The goal was worthy of winning any soccer match,” Orange head coach Ian McIntyre said of the game-winner. “Give credit to St. John’s tonight. They set out to disrupt us and they did that for long periods of time. But I give our guys a lot of credit tonight. Overall, I thought we were worthy winners tonight. In these games, it’s not always going to click, and it hasn’t clicked. We’re still not playing our best soccer. It’s going to take us a little bit of time to find out who we are.”
Robinson played a key role in the win as he scored the Orange’s first two goals of the match for the first multiple-goal game of his career.
The first half was highly contested as neither team was able to apply much pressure until the Orange broke through in the 44th minute on a set piece. Senior Oyvind Alseth served the ball into the box on a corner kick where he connected with sophomore Kamal Miller. Miller’s shot toward the left corner of the goal deflected off Robinson’s shin into the back of the net to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead.
St. John’s (1-1-1) tied the score in the 56th minute on a corner kick. Alistair Johnson recorded his second goal of the season off an assist from Harry Cooksley. Cooksley then gave the Red Storm the lead in the 65th minute on a goal from 25 yards out. It marked the first time Syracuse has trailed this season.
The Orange continued to apply pressure and evened the score in the 82nd minute when Robinson and Miller teamed up again as Robinson scored his second goal of the night. Syracuse produced more scoring chances in the final eight minutes of regulation, but couldn’t take advantage of its opportunities, sending the game to overtime.
Hagman had a chance to end the match in the first overtime, but his shot went just wide in the 94th minute. That was the only shot either team could get off in the session, sending the game to a second overtime. He also had the first and only shot in the second overtime, which gave the Orange their second overtime victory this season.
Syracuse outshot St. John’s, 15-9, and had 11 corner kicks to two for the Red Storm. Orange goalkeeper Hendrick Hilpert (Eiterfeld, Germany) recorded three saves, while Andrew Withers had two and Michael Bernardi made three for St. John’s.
The Orange look to extend their winning streak when they open ACC play on Friday, Sept. 9 at North Carolina State.
